DOWN AND NOT OUT

Grealish told he WILL get the call from Southgate

JACK GREALISH remains on track to go to the European Championship with England.

The Aston Villa skipper has been reassured that he is bang in the frame for a call-up after stories that he would miss out began to circulate.

Officials have contacted the 25-year-old (above) and made it known that he is still in the thoughts of boss Gareth Southgate.

The playmaker was named as one of those who could be omitted from this summer’s jamboree in the wake of the Three Lions’ successful start to their World Cup qualification campaign during the past two weeks.

Grealish was absent during victories over San Marino, Albania and Poland through injury in what was the final chance to impress before Southgate names his squad to take on the best Europe has to offer.

Several players – one being Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard – increased their own chances of representing England amid suggestions that

Grealish would be axed.

But the player has been approached to let it be known that no final decisions have yet been taken.

Grealish has impressed on international duty, picking up five caps since making his debut in Denmark last September.

It speaks volumes for the regard in which the Villa man is held that contact was made between the Three

Lions and the Birmingham club. But he has been sidelined with a shin problem for the past month – although he is due to return to Dean Smith’s side for today’s Villa Park clash against Fulham.

Southgate (left) has spelled out what some fringe players have to do to be considered – for instance Tottenham’s Eric Dier would need to be playing for boss Jose Mourinho if they are to be called up.

But that situation is unlikely to befall Grealish who, if fit, is the first name on Smith’s team-sheet.

The Villa boss said he would be surprised if his star man is not included in the player-of-the-year nominations at the end of the season.

He said: “Players like Jack who are looking to go to a tournament this summer, they know it’s their last chance to impress their managers between now and the end of the season. He’s got 10 games to do that. Hopefully, that will be a big benefit to us.

Spring

“Jack hasn’t had much chance to rest, so we’re hoping this break has done him some good.

“I’ve seen him on the training ground, there’s a spring in his step and him coming back into the team should improve us.

“In terms of England, I’d be very surprised if he’s not included because, come the end of the season, when they start talking about the player-of-theseason, I fully expect him to be among those mentioned.”